Water-Soluble Fragrance

Water-soluble fragrance micro-emulsion in a clear system

What Is Water-Soluble Fragrance?

Water-soluble fragrance is a micro-emulsion system that allows fragrance materials to disperse evenly into water-based formulas where traditional oils do not perform. It is used when a base is not oil-compatible or requires a clear, stable, water-integrated fragrance solution.

Our water-soluble fragrances are produced using a patented micro-emulsion process that converts standard fragrance oils into a transparent, high-performance concentrate suitable for water-based applications such as laundry care, home care, cleaners, and monodose systems.

How the System Works

The micro-emulsion uses eco-friendly, nature-derived, sulfate-free process to solubilize aromatic materials into water. This produces a clear, readily biodegradable concentrate that stays stable without clouding, separation, or additional solubilizers.

Conversion and Availability

Any Stock Fragrance oil can be evaluated and converted into a water-soluble format. This option is available by special order only and is subject to product minimums and standard lead times to allow for production, stability testing, and quality control.

To review ready-made options, you can browse our water-soluble fragrance oil concentrates. For custom concepts or malodor actives, see our Fragrance Design Services (PRIVATE STOCK).

Key Functional Characteristics

Performs in water-based systems where oil-based fragrance fails
Transparent and stable with uniform fragrance distribution
Suitable for laundry products, home care, cleaners, and diffusers
Readily biodegradable and made with nature-derived surfactants
Non-flammable and safe to handle during production
Supports low-waste formats by reducing water movement in finished goods

Inquire about water soluble fragrance

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Applications for Water-Soluble Fragrance

In-wash liquid scent booster concept

In-wash liquid scent booster

  • Add directly to the liquid fabric softener compartment to deliver long-lasting fragrance on fabrics without the use of microcapsules
  • Suitable for all fabric types, including synthetic fibers
  • Malodor actives can be added to increase freshness (requires PRIVATE STOCK development)
  • Ultra-concentrated formulas can be delivered in monodose or auto-dose packaging
Concentrated surface cleaner concept

Concentrated cleaners

  • Enhance all-purpose and other surface cleaners with intense, long-lasting fragrance that can be added directly by consumers
  • Reduce water transport, shipping and packaging costs by allowing consumers to add fragrance directly to concentrated cleaners
  • Enable fragrance layering, personalization and combinations by the consumer when cleaning
  • Ultra-concentrated formulas can be delivered in monodose or auto-dose packaging
Water-based reed diffuser concept

Water-based reed diffusers

  • Deliver high-dosage, water-based and CARB compliant (VOC <18%) fragrance using reed diffusers
  • Reduce water transport, shipping and packaging costs by having the consumer add water to create the final solution
  • Use with special reeds to optimize fragrance release and evaporation in water-based systems

Water-Soluble Fragrance: Common Questions

Can any Stock Fragrance oil be made water-soluble?

Most Stock Fragrance oils can be evaluated for use in our water-soluble system. We confirm compatibility and suitability for your intended application before proceeding.

What are the minimums and lead times?

Water-soluble formats are produced by special order and are subject to product minimums. Lead time is typically up to 8 weeks to allow for production, stability testing, and quality control.

Which product types are best suited for water-soluble fragrance?

Typical applications include in-wash scent boosters, fabric softeners, surface and all-purpose cleaners, water-based reed diffusers, and other water-based or low-VOC systems.

Do you provide documentation for water-soluble formats?

Yes. SDS and IFRA documentation can be provided for water-soluble formats. If documentation is not already posted, you can request it via our Document Request page.

Can these systems be used in personal care or skin-contact products?

In some cases, yes, but feasibility depends on the base, dosage, and regulatory requirements. Share your concept and markets so we can advise on suitability and documentation.